Parámetros meteorológicos, represamiento fluvial y huracanes. Variaciones en la hidrología del golfo de Batabanó, Cuba.

Abstract

The Gulf of Batabanó (GB), is the region of the Cuban marine platform of greater extension and fishing importance. Habitat effects of marine species have been reported as a consequence of natural and anthropic factors. The objective was to determine significant spatio-temporal variations in the hydrology of GB in different periods and environmental situations. For this, the variability of rainfall and air temperature was analyzed in 1975-1995 and 1996-2015 periods of low and high cyclonic activity, the thermohaline characteristics of the GB before (1959-1970) and after (2006-2016) the river damming, and the effect of two hurricanes almost simultaneous in 2008 (“Gustav” and “Ike”). Significant differences in the interannual variability of meteorological parameters between the north and south of the GB corresponded to local characteristics, and changes occurred in the distribution of the months of maximum rainfall. The perennial impact of the damming, coupled with temporary precipitation deficits in spring, summer and winter, caused thermohaline increases in 2006-2016, with an increase of 0.7 °C in water temperature and 2.3 in average salinity of the GB, with respect to 1959-1970. Salinity showed an increase in the distribution of hypersaline values, and an average > 36 in months of high rainfall, with a general average of 35.4 in 1959 -1970 and 37.7 in 2006-2016, this suggests that damming has been a major factor in the increase in salinity. The thermohaline impact in the GB of two hurricanes in 2008 was restored in the short term, with greater inertia in turbidity.